- "What I need is a life I can be proud of! Don't you want to do something that will really matter, that will be remembered throughout history?"
- ―Judas to Hadad.[src]
Judas, also known as Judas Iscariot or Judas of Kerioth, is a former business apprentice from Kerioth, who is the treasurer and one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
Early Life[]
Judas was born in Kerioth, Judea. He attended Beth Midrash to pursue an occupation as a rabbi, however he decided to stay home and become a business apprentice after his father passed away. During this time, his mother also passed away, leaving him and his older sister as orphans.
“More To Life Than Money”[]
Judas worked as a businessman for a mining company, where he apprenticed under a man named Hadad. On one occasion, he and Hadad were successful in acquiring a plot of property for a very low sum. However, Judas did not appear to be at ease with using deception to gain a profit.
After the ordeal, he revealed to Hadad that he believes there is more to life than making money, stating that he wishes to do something that will matter and be remembered throughout history. Hadad convinces Judas to let it go by offering him time off and a bag of coins, which Judas gratefully accepts.
Following the Messiah[]
A Fateful Encounter[]
Judas and Hadad overhear a conversation between three men and a landowner about utilizing his land for a sermon while in a bar near Galilee. The men are followers of a preacher who has been traveling around healing people. Judas suggests to the landowner that if he allows the sermon to take place on his property, many of the people who go and see the preacher will identify his products with the miracles, which could result in a profit for him. This concept persuades the landlord to let the disciples use his property. Judas and Haded leave before the disciples can express their gratitude.
Outside the bar, Judas and Hadad agree to attend the sermon and hear the new preacher in person. This preacher, unbeknownst to Judas, is Jesus of Nazareth.
Sermon on the Mount[]
Judas and Hadad arrive at the plot of land being used for the sermon, noting that there are a lot more people in attendance than they realized. Judas and Hadad then split up in an attempt to find a good place to stand to hear the preacher, and Judas ends up following a man and a woman behind the structure, where he is recognized by one of the disciples from the bar. The disciple thanks Judas and introduces him to another disciple named Simon. Simon then compliments Judas for his help in getting the land and tells him that he will enjoy the sermon.
During the sermon, Judas stands with Jesus’ disciples and is very moved by his words. Sometime during the sermon, Judas decides that he is going to leave his old life behind and follow Jesus.
After the sermon, Judas meets up with Hadad, and much to Hadad’s dismay, he officially quits his job as a business apprentice. He states that he wishes to go with his disciples and that he will follow Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Meeting Jesus[]
After his encounter with Hadad, Judas makes his way to where Jesus is having a conversation with one of his followers. Judas is intimidated at first and reluctant to speak with him, but Jesus insists. Jesus mentions that Nathanael, one of the men from the bar, was impressed by Judas’ business intellect and thought that he might want to join the ministry. Judas begins to recount his life and his skillset, stating that he would indeed like to follow Jesus as a disciple. Jesus affirms that he does not require his followers to have any special skills, only that they should try and be like him. Jesus proposes a question, “Are you ready to do hard things?”, to which Judas replies that he is. Jesus asks what the meaning of his name is; Judas answers that it means “God be praised”, and that he will praise God every day. Jesus then formally asks Judas to follow him as a disciple.
Hopeful Goodbye[]
Judas returns to his home to collect a few of his personal belongings, including his late mother's mint plant. He pays a final visit to his older sister, Devorah, baring the news of his new rabbi. Devorah questions him about how he will make money, as it is the only thing he's ever known, to which Judas responds that he will help the ministry financially. Judas then reveals that he believes his preacher is the fabled Messiah, who came to free the Jews from Roman occupation. Devorah expresses deep concern for her brother, bringing up the fact that many people who claim to be the "Messiah" are killed along with their followers. Judas assures her that this is not always the case and that if he is the Messiah, he will not be killed. Devorah once again begs Judas to reconsider, expressing her pain at the thought of losing her last family member and the Iscariot name being forgotten. Judas reaffirms his belief that God had chosen him for something greater—a calling that he could not ignore. Before leaving, Judas and Devorah share a solemn hug, and Devorah requests one last thing: that he make their family proud.
Two by Two[]
During a meeting at Simon's house, Jesus officially makes the Twelve his apostles. Jesus states that, as apostles, they are going to be sent out to spread his teachings to regions that are on good terms with him. Judas expresses concern that he has only heard one sermon, to which Nathanael jokingly tells him it was the best one. Jesus also states that he is giving all twelve disciples the ability to heal the sick and cast out demons. Additionally, when Jesus mentions that the disciples will not be allowed to bring an extra change of clothes and will have to rely on the generosity of the people they are serving, Judas offers a recommendation about how the group resources should be handled. Simon suggests that it would indeed be a good idea to have someone manage the group funds, and Philip nominates Matthew. Matthew declines out of discomfort, instead offering the role to Judas, who gladly accepts. Judas is then paired with Simon and sent north to Caesarea Philippi.
Simon and Judas spend the next several weeks preaching, healing, and casting out demons. Their efforts seem mostly successful, with Simon encouraging his less-experienced partner.
The Olive Grove[]
Upon returning to Capernaum with Simon, Judas is approached by Mary Magdalene, Tamar, and Zebedee, who are looking to use the group funds to purchase an olive grove. They are hoping that Zebedee will be able to turn a profit for the ministry if he learns how to produce fine olive oil. Judas agrees and travels with the group to an olive grove. Upon arriving, Judas observes that many of the trees are dead and would not be of any use. After striking a deal with the landowner of the grove, Judas is able to secure work for Zebedee.
An Unconditional Bond[]
After Jesus has returned from the healing of Jairus' daughter, Judas accompanies Jesus and the rest of the disciples to enjoy some time at the water. Judas and James have a friendly wrestling match against Jesus and Thaddeus, in which the former pair is victorious. Judas and Jesus share a warm embrace, showing that Jesus loves each and every one of his followers.
Trouble in the City[]
While staying at Andrew's home, Judas, Andrew, and Philip are awoken by an intruder during the night. Judas pulls a knife on the man and demands that he drop his weapon, to which the man hastily drops his knife and introduces himself as Leander from Naveh. Leander brings the news that the words Andrew and Philip have spread have caused a rift between many groups of individuals. This causes Andrew and Philip to briskly return to try and settle the dispute.
A few days later, they return unsuccessfully. Judas is in the middle of preparing bags of food for the homeless, as per Purim tradition, when Andrew and Philip barge in. They explain that a parable about a rich man throwing a party has caused a misunderstanding among various groups in the city, which has turned into riots. Judas explains the reasoning behind why the groups likely misunderstood Jesus' parable, stating that he understands people from all areas of life due to his former occupation as a businessman. Judas, Andrew, and Philip all agree to go find Jesus and alert him of the issue.
Jew and Gentile[]
Judas accompanies Jesus and the other disciples to the Decapolis; however, they are cornered outside the city of Abila by various groups of Jews, Nabateans, Syrophoenicians, and Greeks. With no way to convince the groups to let them pass, Jesus tells his followers to sit down and prepare for a lesson. Judas asks Jesus to increase their faith in him, to which Jesus replies that a person needs only a mustard seed-sized amount of faith and nothing will be impossible to them. As many more people joined the crowd to hear Jesus' preaching, Judas and the other disciples spread out amongst the crowd to speak his message for all to hear.
5 Loaves, 2 Fish[]
As Jesus preaches for an entire day and night, the disciples begin to notice that the crowd does not have food. Judas brings this issue up to Jesus, stating that they only have 200 denarii, which is not even enough to buy a little bit of food for the gathered people. Andrew returns with a boy from the city who has carried five loaves of bread and two fish with him in his basket. Jesus then orders the disciples to each grab a basket, divide the loaves and fish, and put a few pieces in each basket. The disciples are skeptical at first but oblige. To their amazement, the baskets are suddenly filled to overflowing, and they distribute the food until the whole crowd of 5,000+ is satisfied. Judas is astounded at this feat, as this is the first miracle he has witnessed Jesus perform.
Walking on Water[]
After the feeding of the 5,000, Judas accompanies Simon and the rest of the disciples as they cross the Sea of Galilee. A storm hits while they are in the boat, and they are unable to reach land. Judas witnesses Jesus walk to them through the storm, as well as his calling to Simon to walk on the water.